The Sydney Writers’ Festival is the biggest literary event in Australia. This literary event has been held annually since 1997 and it attracts an interesting mix of authors, poets, biographers, editors, publishers and book lovers from Australia and the rest of the world. More than 65,000 people attend this week long festival which is held at various venues like Pier 4/5 and the Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay and the City Recital Hall, Sydney Opera House and The Mint. The 2008 festival extended the scope of the Sydney Writers’ Festival to several  locales in suburban Sydney like Parramatta, Ashfield, Blacktown etc. This year this expertly curated festival will be held from Monday the 18th of May to Sunday the 24th of May and will feature a whole host of events like workshops, talks, discussions and book fairs.

The Sydney Writers’ Festival 2009 assumes even more importance in a world where the written word is being constantly challenged by the digital age. Where newspapers are being forced to shut down every day due to loss in ad revenue and circulation and ‘old fashioned’ books are being replaced by digital readers like the Kindle which are equipped to read thousands of e-books.  This year the writer’s festival will feature programs that have been inspired by current political and social events like the election of the first African-American President of the USA. read more

The ‘Harbour City’ of Australia is an overwhelming pot pourri of culture, entertainment and history. When visiting this scenic city ensure that your camera is fully loaded with film or memory to make the most of your experience. Stay at top tier Sydney accommodation with a view of the famous Opera House or enjoy the backpacker experience and take advantage of cheap Sydney accommodation . However you decide to visit the city, having a basic plan is essential. These top 5 sights should be a must on every Sydney tour plan. read more

Situated on the highway to Wanaka, Stuart Landsborough’s Puzzling World is perhaps the quirkiest way out of the daily stressful life. The theme park designed to puzzle and surprise is not only for children, but one the whole family can enjoy together. The attractions range from the leaning tower of Wanaka, which is tilted at an incredible 53 degrees angle, to the 1.5 kilometer long maze filled with surprises.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa stands at a tilt of 6 degrees and the Wanaka tower is an uprooted tower set at an amazing angle to make you wonder how safe it is to go too near it? Stuart Landsborough’s Puzzling World has been around for 30 years and it continues to amaze numerous tourists day in day out. The Labyrinth is similarly awesome and thrills adults and youths alike. Allowing for half an hour to an hour to solve the Labyrinth, the organizers have designed a unique modern puzzle with emergency exits at regular intervals for those who give up or run out of gas, metaphorically speaking.

the Hologram room as well. See to believe may not always be the right way to go about things when you come here; there is a lot to see that has to do with optical illusions and technology. Whether you find it interesting, or a tad freaky, depends on your taste, butIf that’s not enough, you can visit Ames Forced Perspective room that is designed to amaze you with how a perfectly normal room from the outside can make your friend look like a giant while you look like a dwarf. That is not all for the illusion rooms though, there is how would you feel if you walked into a room filled with models of 168 famous faces? What would you feel if all those people turned to follow you with their gaze? The answers to these questions are only possible if you visit and experience the atmosphere first hand.

normal, yet it is tilted at an angle of 15 degrees? The café at the Puzzling World is aptly a puzzle-oriented environment as well. While you wait for your order to be served or enjoy. We have seen the technique used in movies, but how about a house that looks perfectly the meal, you can deal with the puzzles on hand. The staff at the café also helps demonstrate the puzzles…don’t forget to enjoy the interesting kaleidoscope that is a part of the café’s ceiling while you are there. Make it a point to use public toilets. Surprised at the suggestion? Apart from the men’s and ladies rooms, there is a third room that is the Roman style toilet and is not only a fun lesson in history but worth a laugh with friends and family as well.

Wanaka is situated in a charming lake district and the area is a beautiful tourist locale, with nature as the star of the show. The mountains and the lake all attract a lot of attention from the tourists. The centrally located Lakeside Serviced Apartments is a luxury lodging facility which is only a stones throw away from the beautiful lake. It only takes 10 minutes to walk to the town center from the Lodge. The rooms are furnished tastefully and the overall décor reflects the beauty of the location as well, complementing the amazing natural beauty all around Wanaka.

All bookings include a gourmet cooked breakfast to start your day off before you tour the town, visit the Puzzling World, go down to the lake, or even enjoy the tennis and petanque facilities at the lodge. There are also facilities to aid your fishing or hiking expedition along with bike trails or skiing, depending on the weather and when you decide to visit Wanaka. For more information check Puzzling Worlds official site.